Manila

[QUOTE=Nco71]Thanks, I have been living in India like a native for 6 months... [/QUOTE]

Now that I don't believe. There is no way you would want to do this. Not unless you moved into a tin shack in a slum with no running water or power. Kinda like the Aussie in Shantaram.

What I'll bet you mean is that you roughed it, backpacking for a few months, staying in cheap Indian style hotels and eating like a local.

If so, join the club.

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt]I mean, a trip to Jolibees is a real gastronomic treat to most Filipinos. Have you seen what they eat at home? As far as I can gauge, from checking out shopping baskets at the supermarkets, half the population seem to live on cans of sardines and packets of instant noodles:D.[/QUOTE]Good point mate. In most small towns in philippines Jollibee is the pinnacle of "fine dining".

At home they eat half a cup of overboiled sticky rice topped with fried pork lard for lunch and gluey noodles called Pancit Canton for dinner.

At first I couldnt understand why they overboil the rice and noodles so much that it becomes a slop ball of glue, then I realised it has a very "filling" effect so even a small amount of the glop makes the person feel full.

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt]Yeah, but the majority of Filipinos love it. Its not purely expense. I'll bet if you offered 10 Filipinos the choice between a lobster thermidor or the toxic orange gloop that passes for Spaghetti in Jolibees, you would have a lot of lobster left over.

I mean, a trip to Jolibees is a real gastronomic treat to most Filipinos. Have you seen what they eat at home? As far as I can gauge, from checking out shopping baskets at the supermarkets, half the population seem to live on cans of sardines and packets of instant noodles:D.[/QUOTE]

And noodles, tins of 'spam/processed meat', corned beef and/or hot dogs (frozen at times but some girls I know do not have a frudge so has to be tins)

I take my Cebu favourite to the supermarket at times to buy groceries for her family and food wise that is what CS says plus the above....and lots of washing powder/detergent (small packs), toothpaste and soap. Nothing fancy and if you suggest they say "is too expensive why do I need that", even buy the cheapest rice dspite me saying I would buy better quality

Healthy it may not be but to them, given their family circumstances, it is a feast. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are....and should not moan about foods that a pinay would see as a special pasalubong

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt]Yeah, but the majority of Filipinos love it. Its not purely expense. I'll bet if you offered 10 Filipinos the choice between a lobster thermidor or the toxic orange gloop that passes for Spaghetti in Jolibees, you would have a lot of lobster left over.

I mean, a trip to Jolibees is a real gastronomic treat to most Filipinos. Have you seen what they eat at home? As far as I can gauge, from checking out shopping baskets at the supermarkets, half the population seem to live on cans of sardines and packets of instant noodles:D.[/QUOTE]
It's all true. Not only is the food most people eat here tasteless and often inedible to Westers, but it's extremely unhealthy. Diabetes and hypertension are almost epidemic here, and while one of the factors may be genetic, a not insubstantial reason is the crap they eat...high in salt, sugar, and various preservatives. In the past I've tried to gently point those put to some colleagues, whose standard response is, "but I like it." it's a source of amazement to me that Filipino cuisine--which may be an oxymoron--hasn't been influenced by the far superior culinary taste of surrounding SE Asian countries.

GE

[QUOTE=Wicked Roger].....................
Healthy it may not be but to them, given their family circumstances, it is a feast. Sometimes we forget how lucky we are....and should not moan about foods that a pinay would see as a special pasalubong[/QUOTE]

Great sentiments WR.
Very well put, and I, like you, have had the same experience on many occasions. When you try to give them a little something extra from the supermarket they cannot rationalise it into their lives.

[QUOTE=Fast Buck Artist]In the west "wining and dining" the girl is a sign you have some money in your pocket, and some class. In Philippines your white face will automatically assure your social status and it doesn't need to be proven that you "have the goods".

That been said. I like to eat well for my own sake, I can't stomach the disgusting slop that passes for food in Jollibee, once made a mistake of ordering a burger there and got some toxic mixture of pork fat, carton and salt. And the pasta they call "Filipino spaghetti" is gluey pig slop.

Cheap food is cheap for a reason. Its crap.[/QUOTE]
Phi girls always like pork and rice, fried chicken with rice. Definitely not used to steaks,lobsters etc. One of my GF only wants to eat Phi food till I took her one time to a nice Chinese place for her Birthday. Now she likes it. I have taken her to other places for steak and lobster etc but she did not like it instead just ordering from the Phi menu. Almost all of these girls like street food. Another thing is these girls do not like to eat big meals. They like to eat small meals many times a day.

[QUOTE=Red Kilt]You haven't worked out yet that the basic needs of (most) filipinas in relation to foreigners is to receive hard cash.

We think the drinks and food and fun should be enough for them, but at the end of the day they just want cash.

You figured you had already spent around 4 or 5000 php (I am guessing) on the girl and her friends, and you think that in return she should "repay" you with sex.

The reality is that you could have spent <1000 php on her at any cheaper eatery and offered her 1500. 3000 or whatever and she would have been VERY happy and been keen to come home with you.

Some girls really love the fine dining and drinks and disco etc but how much you spent on that is not factored into their equation when they are counting how much cash you will give them.[/QUOTE]Yes, well I am new to the Philippines (been to Thailand etc. Several times) and I realize that all now. The thing is, is that I thought I was meeting a girl who had like a regular job and was just looking for a bf or husband or something. But apparently that doesn't matter there. This girl even told me that if she has a bf that she expects him to give her money and support her which is totally understandable especially in the Philippines. I was just under the delusion that maybe she would wait until I got to know her and then explain that she needs money etc. My fault for being naive. By the way I am still in contact with her.

Probably won't go to Havana again as I have heard on here (recently) that girls expect more and honestly La cafe is just so easy. I think I paid 1500 for all night there with a 200.300 tip depending on how they performed. Of course I really didn't try to bargain too hard either. Thanks for the insight.

[QUOTE=GoodEnough] response is, "but I like it." it's a source of amazement to me that Filipino cuisine--which may be an oxymoron--hasn't been influenced by the far superior culinary taste of surrounding SE Asian countries.

GE[/QUOTE]In Taipei at moment and quite by accident found myself in a street advertising remittance services to Philippines, pasaload, padala etc, and then theres a restaurant advertising " Filipino cuisine ".

I had to laugh as I was thinking same as all previous posters, that the words Filipino and Cuisine don't sit too comfortably side by side.

Sadly the place was closed as I was already anticipating sinigang and some " "Hi Kumasta, I'm Freebie, Hello, ganda babae, would you like to join me for a drink etc, etc"

[QUOTE=Sammon]
Another thing is these girls do not like to eat big meals. They like to eat small meals many times a day.[/QUOTE]

And another is sometimes if they have a big meal they will feed you from their plate meaning you end up getting chubbier....as if I need any more help with that :p

They think this is nice/loving and is part of their culture but eating nearly 2 meals can ruin my svelte and adonis physique :)...And if they want to share Jollibee :eek:

However, eating all this food just means I need to shag more to keep my weight off I suppose :D

[QUOTE=Cunning Stunt]Hahaha - don't we all. But after you have been here a bit longer you might find out that it is a lot cheaper and less complicated to simply bung them a few pesos. It is easy here, if you have the money, to maintain a string of women, but, I personally, find it simpler and less hassle to pay them to leave:).

Otherwise I applaud you. Not many guys go 'native' after such a short time here. No doubt it is very novel, exciting and dangerous to your western attuned mind.

I would, however, advise you to tread carefully. Few realize how much of a jungle it is out there, beyond their luxuriously appointed condos or hotel rooms.[/QUOTE]Cafe Habana doesn't have good looking and younger ones anymore like they used to my experience. Many of the ladies are older and shark.

[QUOTE=Wicked Roger]they will feed you from their plate meaning you end up getting chubbier[/QUOTE]
WR I believe a looong time ago it was an endearing Japanese custom for the wife to kneel and entertain her husband with conversation while he enjoyed his meal. Then she would eat from what was left over. Of course Japanese always have a huge pot of rice going so its no big sacrifice. I do like the idea of her being restrained and focused on pleasing her husband. Don't see that much any more!

Hi Guys,

I will arrive in Manila on a Sunday I have made a little short list what places to Visit.

G-point, La Cafe EDSA, Greenbelt any Recommendations?

Bigdan

[quote=jambo]wr i believe a looong time ago it was an endearing japanese custom for the wife to kneel and entertain her husband with conversation while he enjoyed his meal. then she would eat from what was left over. of course japanese always have a huge pot of rice going so its no big sacrifice. i do like the idea of her being restrained and focused on pleasing her husband. don't see that much any more![/quote]

i dunno, personally i find submissive women to be rather boring. i guess that's why i ended up marrying the one filipina who had a rather dominant personality, especially as it related to sex.

she was an 18-year-old virgin when we met, but took to sex like a fish to water. before long, as an example, in the morning when i would suggest that we go out for some breakfast, she would push me back down on the bed (she's 85 lbs., but still pretty strong) and say, "no, i want you forst to leeck my poosy." of course, i would comply, after which she would literally [url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord123][CodeWord123][/url] me.

we've been married now for about 6 years, and she is a strong willed lady-- and she still "[url=http://isgprohibitedwords.info?CodeWord=CodeWord124][CodeWord124][/url]" me on a regular basis!

rg

[QUOTE=Wicked Roger]They think this is nice/loving and is part of their culture but eating nearly 2 meals can ruin my svelte and adonis physique :)... :D[/QUOTE]As in see you " around " LOL

[QUOTE=Bigdan]Hi Guys,

I will arrive in Manila on a Sunday I have made a little short list what places to Visit.

G-point, La Cafe EDSA, Greenbelt any Recommendations?

Bigdan[/QUOTE]Big dan,

If you like Massage place go to Phoenix spa near the Greenbelt or Don pedro near burgos but you can skip the bar there.

Fast Eddie 48